Transcript Plugging Into the Local Incident Command System

Plugging Into the Local
Incident Command System
Health Physics Society Midyear Meeting
February 2005 New Orleans, LA
Sponsored with the Assistance of the Health Physics Society
Homeland Security Committee
Speakers

Tom O’Connell
– MA Department of Public Health
– Liaison to Hazardous Materials Teams
– IAEA Consultant

Steve Clendenin
– Retired Fire Captain – 26 Years
– Deputy Director – MA Hazmat Response
– FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Task Force
Agenda
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The Emergency Environment
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The Incident Command System
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Interface Programs

Getting Connected
Emergencies – “Sliding the Pole”

Two Scenarios
– Investigation leading to realization that
something BAD is happening.
• Slow buildup
–Rapid Violent Events
Rapid Violent Event
Mass Confusion
 Lack of Information
 Psychological impact

– Death
– Injury
Need for IMMEDIATE DECISIONS
 The Buck has stopped with YOU.

Old Bumper Sticker
WHEN THE EXPERTS PANICTHEY CALL THE FIRE DEPT.
Emergency Responders
are Called 
When Normal Safeguards Have Failed

When Deliberate Harm is Intended
– Terrorism
– Arson
– Revenge / Anger
– Loonies
People You Meet at the Scene

Victims

Responsible Parties
– Guilt
– Fear of Litigation
– Desire to Minimize or Conceal

Other Responding Agencies
People You Meet at the Scene
People with Good Information
 People with Bad Information
 People with “Issues”
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The Problem is sorting them out
The Scene
I’m an Expert and I’m here to Help you
Sometimes There is No Perfect Answer
Experts Must Understand Their
Audiences Needs to be Effective
NIMS / ICS
Managing Disaster
Homeland Security
Presidential Directive 5

To prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover
from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other
emergencies, the United States Government
shall establish a single, comprehensive
approach to domestic incident
management. The objective of the United
States Government is to ensure that all levels of
government across the Nation have the capability
to work efficiently and effectively together, using
a national approach to domestic incident
management
What is the National Incident
Management System, or NIMS?
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A system that provides a consistent nationwide
approach for incident management
Requires Federal, State, tribal, and local
governments to work together before, during, and
after incidents
Involves preparing for, preventing, responding to,
and recovering from domestic incidents
All causes, sizes, and complexities of incidents
Incident Command System
FEMA IS-100
MA Department of Fire Services
MA Department of Public Health
Why Use ICS

Time Proven System of Management

Standardized Approach

All Hazards Concept
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Modular and Flexible
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Common Terminology
Common ICS Terminology

Span of Control
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Operation Period
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Facilities
– Incident Command Post
– Camps
– Bases
– Staging Areas
Origins of ICS
State of California Late 1970s
FIRESCOPE
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– Firefighting Resources of California
Organized for Potential Emergencies
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Goals
– Fire Service Management
– Technology
– Incident Command
– Multi-Agency Coordination
Two Key Concepts
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Unity of Command
– You can only take orders from one
person
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Span of Control
– You can only directly supervise a
limited number of people
Primary Position
Title
Support Position
Incident Commander
Incident Commander
Deputy
Command Staff
Officer
Assistant
Section
Chief
Deputy
Branch
Director
Deputy
Division/Group
Supervisor
N/A
Strike Team/Task Force
Leader
N/A
Unit
Leader
Manager
Single Resource
Use Unit Description
N/A
ICS Organizational Titles

Standard and Specific to ICS
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Positions not filled by Rank
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Qualified Personnel
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Minimizes Confusion
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Management Areas
Incident Commander
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Responsible for Overall Incident
– Objectives
– Strategies
– Priorities
• Life Safety
• Incident Stabilization
• Property Conservation
Command Staff
Command Staff Positions
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Incident Commander
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Safety Officer
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* Liaison Officer
Public Information
Officer
General Staff Sections
Sections Comprise General Staff
Chief for Each Management Section
Operations Section
Position Title - Operations Chief
 Executes IAP Operations
Responsible for
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– Reports to IC
– Accomplishing Objectives
• Strategies
• Tactics
• Tasks
Planning Section
Position Title - Planning Chief
 Develops the IAP
 Responsible for

– Reports to IC
– Data Evaluation
– Long Term Direction
– Technical Specialists
Incident Action Plan
Every Incident - Verbal or Written
 Provides Direction for:

– Operational Period
– Measurable Tactical Operations
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Minimum of Four Elements
– What do We Want to do?
– Who is Responsible for Job?
– How to Communicate?
– Procedures for Injuries?
Planning Section
Technical Specialists
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Certain Incidents or Events May Require the
use of Technical Specialists who Have
Specialized Knowledge and Expertise.
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Assigned Wherever Their Services are
Required.
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In the Planning Section, Technical Specialists
May Report to the Following:
– Planning Section Chief
– A Designated Unit Leader
Logistics Section
Position Title - Logistics Chief
 Provides Support, Resources
 Inputs into the IAP
 Responsible for

– Process Requests
– Advise on Capabilities
– Report to IC
Finance Section
Position Title - Finance Chief
 Provides Support, Resources
 Inputs into the IAP
 Responsible for

– Process Requests
– Advise on Capabilities
– Report to IC
Types of Incident Facilities
 Incident
Location
 Incident
Command Post
 Staging Area
 Camps
 Base
Responder Responsibilities

Check In Process
– Locate Personnel for Emergencies
– Ensures Accountability
– Organize the Demobilization
– Tracking Resources
– Prepare for Assignments
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No Freelancing
Summary of ICS Concepts
IC Position Always Filled
 Command Staff-Officers
 General Staff – Section Chiefs
 IAP for Operational Period
 Common Terminology Used
 ICS Organization Independent
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Summary of ICS Concepts
Span of Control 3-7 persons
 Briefings Must Take Place
 Only One Base Facility - Fixed
 Camps Can Move
 Staging – Waiting Area for Assets
 ICS - Flexible Management Tool
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Questions on FEMA IS-100
Quiz
•What is RAM?
– A.
– B.
– C.
– D.
– E.
Truck with a Hemi
Animal
Random Access Memory
Radioactive Material
Rapid Access Mass Decon
•YES……All of the Above
Do You Understand Me

Communication with Common
Language is KEY to Success
– NO Acronyms
– NO Codes
• Ten Four Big Buddy
Understand the Big Picture
 Quick - to the Point Solutions

Ten Things Not to Say to a FR

Sievert
 Gray
 Depth Dose Equivalent
 Let Me Think About That
 We Can’t Do That
 You Can’t Do That
 Committed Dose
 Effective Dose
 Be Gentle With The Equipment
 Discuss the Quantum Theory
Get to Know Your Local
Responders
Fire
 Police
 EMS
 Lower the Better
 Offer Training Assistance
 Get to Know Local/State Assets and
Response Organizations
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FEMA CERT Program
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Citizen’s Emergency Response Teams
– National Program
– Local Implementation
Prepares Communities to Respond
 Training is Local by Local
 Emergency and Non-Emergency
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FEMA CERT Program
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Benefits
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Better Understanding of Community
Potential Community Hazards
Understanding Develops Perspective
Improves Disaster Response
More Hands Make Lighter Work
Credentialing
http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/cert/dir.asp
State SERC / Local LEPC

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
– Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
– Clean Air Act (CAA)
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SERC
– State Emergency Response Commissions

LEPC
– Local Emergency Planning Committee
Local LEPC Members
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Local Emergency Planning Committee
– Appointed by the SERC
– Must Contain Representatives from:
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Local Officials
Local Public Safety
Local Public Health
Local Emergency Management
Local Hospitals
Community Groups
Facilities Subjected to EPCRA
Local LEPC Activities
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Develop Emergency Plans
– Community Specific
– Prepare for And Respond to Chemical
– Annual Review of Plan
– Exercise the Plan
Work with Facilities to Minimize Risk
 Inform Population of Chemical Risks
 http://www.rtknet.org/resources.php
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Summary
Learn the Responder’s View of Incidents
 Get Integrated into Your Community
 Understand Your Audience’s Needs
– Fast Breaking Events…Fast Solutions
 Understand the Response Systems
 Learn the Systems
 Volunteer Your Expertise
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……There is Always a Solution……
Photo by Capt Cadd CA